Advantage Hard Hat vs. Fold-a-Cover G4 Elite

Immediately, the first thing you will notice is that the G4 Elite utilized a 4 panel folding design which allows for 75% of the truck bed to be used when fully stacked behind the cab of the truck. The Hard Hat, on the other hand, has a 3 panel design which only allows for 66% of the truck bed to be used when fully stacked behind the cab of the truck.

The opening mechanisms on these covers are completely different as well. The G4 Elite has a flat-latch handle that that can easily be opened with one hand without having to open the tailgate first. Whereas the Hard Hat has a much longer opening process; the first step is to open the tailgate, and then you must walk to each side of the truck to release their ‘speed latch’ system before proceeding to fully open the tonneau cover.

The Hard Hat does not require a rail system to install the tonneau cover. This means that the cover sits directly on the bed rails, over time this allows for dirt, sand and other abrasive materials to collect under the cover and will damage the finish of the truck bed. The rail system that the G4 utilizes stays on the bed rails with protective foam backing keeping abrasive materials from gathering under the cover and also manages water before it enters the truck bed

How these covers attach to the truck bed is another key functionality difference. The Hard Hat only has 4 points of attachment and when the cover is in the stacked position it is only secured to the truck bed with 2 plastic clamps. The G4 Elite uses automotive grade striker bolts to attach to the truck bed and has a total of 8 secure latching points. When it is stacked behind the cab it is still secured to the truck bed at 4 different points.